The Most Beautiful Beaches in Montevideo

It’s no secret that Uruguay is famous for its beaches: visitors from all over the world come to enjoy the Uruguayan summer, touring the unspoiled beaches and glamorous resorts of the east coast. What many don’t know is that Montevideo itself is also home to some incredible beaches, so you don’t have to travel far to fully experience the summer. If your travel plans only include the capital, check out this list for the best beaches and relax under the Uruguayan sun.

Carrasco Beach

Carrasco is the most affluent neighborhood in the city. It has a lot of greenery, which makes it very nice to walk around while admiring the big houses and mansions or doing some shopping along the main avenue. The beach is right beside the Sofitel Casino Carrasco & Spa, which is an awe-inspiring architectural landmark. You can spend the morning on the beach when it’s likely to be deserted and picture-perfect, then make a reservation for the hotel’s famous Sunday brunch right after.

Playa Verde

This beach is frequented during the summer because of its white sand and oceanic waters. In Montevideo, the water of the beaches are a mixture of the Río de la Plata river and the Atlantic, so the further east you go the more salty and refreshing the waters will be. This area also boasts a number of restaurants with stunning sea views.

Pocitos Beach

With nearly two kilometers of white sand to sunbathe, walk, jog, or play sports, this beach is one of the best in the city. On one side, you have a view of Pocitos’ iconic and striking skyscrapers, and on the other you have the pleasant view of the sea. There are always a number of activities going on at this beach so it’s easy to play sports and make new friends. The promenade is gorgeous and you can find restaurants right on the beach to enjoy the beautiful sunset at the end of your day.

Honda Beach

This beach is long and thin with deep waters and strong waves. It’s Montevideo’s best surf spot because of the size and shape of the waves. If you’re into the sport, this is the best place to practice it in the city, so many surfers congregate here in search of good waves, which is another great way of making new friends.

Ramirez Beach

This beach is many locals’ favorite because it’s easily accessible and near to the city center. It is right beside one of Montevideo’s most popular parks, Parque Rodó, a museum, and a vintage amusement park of the same name. This combination makes it an ideal destination for a day trip: walking around the park, visiting the National Museum of Visual Arts, relaxing on the beach, and dining in one of the many great restaurants overlooking the amusement park.

Playa de los Ingleses

This is a very small beach located just on the side of the peninsula of Punta Gorda. Even though it’s small, it doesn’t get busy so it is perfect if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. The promenade around the beach is ideal to watch the sun set over the city, or even better, you can watch it from the square up the nearby hill.

Playa del Buceo

This beach is frequented by fishermen and sailing boats, so bathing is not permitted. However, watching the boats and fishermen is a show in itself. This is a good area for fish markets where you can buy seafood fresh from the boat. Near the beach you can find the Buceo port, where you will find a number of excellent seafood restaurants.

Malvín Beach

This beach is extensive so there is ample space for people to sunbathe and walk without getting crowded. A few meters away from the coast, you can see the Gaviotas Island, which gets its name from the colony of seagulls that reside there. The backdrop of the island, beach, sky, and sea, combine to create a charming and quintessentially Uruguayan landscape.